Image Source: Sean Leahy
Key Takeaways
- Sean McDermott has been fired as head coach of the Buffalo Bills after nine seasons
- General manager Brandon Beane has been promoted to President of Football Operations and will lead the search for a new coach
- McDermott’s lack of success in the playoffs, including an 8-8 postseason record, contributed to his firing
- The Bills are expected to be perennial Super Bowl contenders with quarterback Josh Allen under center
- The team will need to act quickly to find a new head coach, with several top candidates already under contract with other teams
Introduction to the Firing of Sean McDermott
The Buffalo Bills announced on Monday that they have fired head coach Sean McDermott, effective immediately. McDermott, who was hired in 2017, led the team to five AFC East division titles and eight playoff appearances in nine seasons. Despite his regular-season success, McDermott’s inability to lead the team to a Super Bowl title ultimately cost him his job. As owner Terry Pegula stated, "Sean has done an admiral job of leading our football team for the past 9 seasons, but I feel we are in need of a new structure within our leadership to give this organization the best opportunity to take our team to the next level."
McDermott’s Legacy with the Bills
During his tenure with the Bills, McDermott established himself as a successful coach, leading the team to seven straight double-digit-win seasons. His teams consistently featured a top-five offense, led by quarterback Josh Allen, and a top-10 defense. However, despite this dominance on both sides of the ball, the Bills were unable to overcome their playoff struggles. McDermott’s postseason record with the team was 8-8, including two losses in the AFC championship game to the Kansas City Chiefs. The most recent loss came against the Denver Broncos in the divisional round of the playoffs, which was marked by a controversial interception and pass-interference penalty.
The Future of the Bills
With McDermott’s departure, the Bills will now begin their search for a new head coach. General manager Brandon Beane, who has been promoted to President of Football Operations, will lead the search. Beane will be tasked with finding a coach who can lead the team to a Super Bowl title, a goal that has eluded the franchise for decades. As Beane noted, the team is looking for a coach who can take the team to the "next level." With Josh Allen under center, the Bills should be perennial Super Bowl contenders, and the team’s next head coach will have similar expectations as early as Year 1.
McDermott’s Future in the NFL
Despite being fired by the Bills, McDermott is unlikely to be out of work for long. His success with the Bills, combined with his experience as a defensive coordinator with the Carolina Panthers and Philadelphia Eagles, makes him an attractive candidate for other teams. If he is unable to secure another head-coaching role this offseason, McDermott should have plenty of options if he is willing to return to a coordinator role. As one of the most respected defensive minds in the league, McDermott will likely have several opportunities to choose from in the coming weeks and months.
The Coaching Search
The Bills will need to act quickly to find a new head coach, as several top candidates are already under contract with other teams. John Harbaugh, who was previously the head coach of the Baltimore Ravens, has already been hired by the New York Giants, while Kevin Stefanski, who was previously the head coach of the Cleveland Browns, has been hired by the Atlanta Falcons. The Bills will need to identify their top candidates and move swiftly to secure their services. With the NFL’s coaching carousel already in full swing, the Bills cannot afford to wait and risk missing out on their top choices. As the team begins its search for a new head coach, one thing is clear: the expectations will be high, and the pressure to succeed will be intense.
https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/article/bills-fire-head-coach-sean-mcdermott-after-9-seasons-promote-gm-brandon-beane-142034495.html
